TriMet marks halfway point for LRT work

TriMet on Thursday, July 25, 2013 promoted the hypothetical "halfway point" of construction on its Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project, linking the namesake cities in Oregon.

"This is like a family reunion," said TriMet General Manager Neil McFarlane, noting the 7.3-mile LRT route is scheduled to open on Sept. 12, 2015.

McFarlane was joined by members of the Oregon Legislature, the Metro Council, the Portland City Council, the Clackamas County Commission, the state's two U.S. senators, Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and three Oregon House representatives, including longtime LRT champion Rep. Earl Blumenauer.

The line features the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail bridge, being built to handle LRT and bus traffic as well as pedestrian use. TriMet predicts ridership of at least 22,765 per weekday by 2030.